MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive/IR Sensor Cable Replacement

Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

Three 13.5 mm (14.1 mm) Phillips screws.

Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.

Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Remove the two 7.4 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

Note: For certain repairs (e.g. hard drive), removing the battery is not necessary but it prevents any accidental shorting of electronics on the motherboard. If you do not remove the battery, please be careful as parts of the motherboard might be electrified.

Use the tip of your finger to carefully peel back the corner of the warning label to reveal a hidden Tri-point screw.

Remove the last 7.4 mm Tri-point screw securing the battery to the upper case.

Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.

Tilt the battery away from the logic board enough to access the battery cable connector.

Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.

Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.

Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.

Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.

Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.

Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.

Remove the following four screws securing the hard drive and IR sensor cable to the upper case:

Two 1.5 mm Phillips screws.

Two 4 mm Phillips screws.

Slide the hard drive and IR sensor bracket away from the edge of the upper case.

Carefully peel the hard drive and IR sensor cable from the upper case.

Lift the hard drive and IR sensor assembly out of the upper case.